Fashion Deals on the Internet - Weekends with Whitney

Today, Lisa is at the studio taping a special Holiday Shopping episode of Weekends with Whitney. W3! is on NBC Chicago Nonstop every Saturday and Sunday at 12pm. Here are some of the tips that Lisa will be sharing with the show: 

There are many sites on the Internet that tout “Deals,” but finding the RIGHT ones can be difficult. You want to be sure to find the sites that not only have the product you want, but also have the assurance that the sellers are reputable, and provide customer service up front and after the sale. 

Here are some tips to help the financially fit Fashionista in finding those coveted Deals for the rare and unique items that fit your original style.

Know where to look - Membership sites such as Rue La La and Gilt.com are great, but a lot of product has been manufactured for mass sale - much the same strategy as Outlet Malls.  I personally prefer marketplaces such Amazon and eBay, with eBay being my favorite for variety of unique items of new and vintage. It has truly become the go-to-marketplace for finding the steals, deals, rare, unique, collectible and more. 

Know what to look for in a seller - Marketplace shopping can be tricky having both sophisticated sellers and novices so you should follow these few basic rules: 

• Only shop from reputable sellers. Look for how long they have been selling and the feedback they’ve accrued from previous shoppers. 
• Make sure to know their return policy in advance. Do they accept returns and how many days do they give you? Unless you’re 110% sure of your purchase, only shop from sellers that take returns.
• Look at the other items in their store. This can help you tell if they understand what they are selling. 

Know your brands and size in each - This helps you save time, money, and frustration. Look for items with classic brand equity, but also keep your mind open as some labels may just not be well known in America. Some of my most coveted items have labels you wouldn’t recognize. Research brands that you don’t recognize - I always check the almighty Google if I like the look of something but am unsure of the quality.

After shopping, don’t forget about the option of resale. Are you fashion fickle? Make a bad purchase? Shoes not as comfortable as they were in the store? Fund all your fancies by reselling your unwanted items. You’ll make money back and do your part to save the planet. Keep these tips in mind:

Buy the best you can afford in the beginning - Brands drive and often dictate values. Brands with high equity sell well, while others of equal “fashion appeal” may be hard to give away. Retail prices do not dictate resale prices.

A well edited closet is the gift of time – Save time each morning by knowing that all of your clothes fit well, feel good, and the style is truly YOU.

Don’t confuse memories with physical objects - We’ve all added emotional value to our items, but unfortunately emotional value doesn’t equate to secondhand market value. If you know you won’t wear it again, sell it BEFORE it goes out of fashion. (Think Prom Dress, Mother of the Bride etc…)

Philanthropically minded? – Sell unwanted items and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity. 

The episode will be airing on Saturday, November 19th, so be sure to tune in!